Hilary Dombrowski

Location of Interview
Collection Name

Sector Management in New England

Description

This project documents fishery management related changes in individuals, households, and communities in New England.

Interviewer
Affiliation
Date of Interview
10-11-2012
Transcribers

Caitlyn Lawrence

Biographical Sketch

Hilary Dombrowski, 64, is a commercial fisherman out of Gloucester, Massachusetts. He began fishing around age 10, progressively buying and operating larger boats. He now jigs for cod and tub trawls for haddock, in the inshore. He is a member of the common pool because quota allocations were assigned based on years during which there were a great deal of regulations, thus limiting catch for many in the region. As a small fisherman, there is no real avenue for him to get into a sector, as it is quite expensive. He does not care for sectors and would return to Days at Sea management as they were before sectors were established. He feels a great deal of sadness for the future of the fishery because there are no opportunities for young people to get into the business. He has seen division among fellow fishermen as a result of sector management, as well. He is hopeful that some legislation may pass that may allow handgear fishermen to continue fishing white hake in the common pool, even after the total common pool allotment has been caught, because handgear fishermen catch such an insignificant amount. This limited impact on the fishery is part of the reason Mr. Dombrowski continues to handgear fish rather than using alternate gear types.


Please Note: The oral histories in this collection are protected by copyright and have been created for educational, research and personal use as described by the Fair Use Doctrine in the U.S. Copyright law. Please reach out  Voices@noaa.gov to let us know how these interviews are being used in your research, project, exhibit, etc.  The Voices staff can help provide other useful resources related to your inquiry. 

The NOAA mission is to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. The Voices Oral History Archives offers public access to a wide range of accounts, including historical materials that are products of their particular times, and may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes.

Voices Oral History Archives does not verify the accuracy of materials submitted to us. The opinions expressed in the interviews are those of the interviewee only. The interviews here have been made available to the public only after the interviewer has confirmed that they have obtained consent.